Was denn ... (2020)

Song Meaning

Nina Hagen's "Was denn..." throws a Molotov cocktail at patriarchal assumptions about female identity and sexual worth. The song, delivered with Hagen's signature theatrical flair, hinges on a street harasser's crude assertion that a woman without male validation is somehow incomplete, "quasi ohne Unterleib" (basically without a lower body). Hagen doesn't just brush this off; she weaponizes it, transforming the insult into a biting satire of male gaze and societal expectations. The repetition of "Was denn, was denn / Sagen Sie mir" (What then, what then / Tell me) drips with sarcastic incredulity, challenging the listener to confront the absurdity of the initial claim. She’s not asking for genuine clarification, but rather exposing the inherent stupidity of the question itself. The brilliance of "Was denn..." lies in Hagen's performance of the wounded woman, which quickly morphs into a subversive act of defiance. The lyrics depict her decision to ironically "offer herself" as a "Dame ohne Unterleib" (lady without a lower body) at a carnival, drawing men from "Knapp vor dem Abi bis knapp vor dem Grab" (just before graduation to just before the grave). This vivid imagery highlights the pervasiveness of the male gaze across all ages and stages of life. They stare, she implies, at what they believe is missing, completely missing the point of her existence as a whole, complex human. Hagen uses dark humor to dismantle the narrow definition of womanhood imposed upon her. Ultimately, the song isn't just a personal anecdote, but a broader commentary on the pressures women face to conform to societal expectations, particularly regarding sexuality and relationships. The refrain, "Bin ich da ein dummes Kalb? / Bin ich nun halb, oder bin ich nun ganz / Auch für die Mannsseite – he?" (Am I a dumb calf? / Am I now half, or am I now whole / Also for the man's side - hey?) serves as a potent rhetorical question, forcing listeners to confront their own biases. Hagen's delivery, tinged with both vulnerability and righteous anger, underscores the song's feminist message. "Was denn..." is a punk-infused, theatrical takedown of anyone who dares to define a woman's worth based on her relationship to men or her perceived sexual completeness. It's a reminder that female identity is self-defined, not dictated by external validation.